December 6, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
As Christmas draws near, so does the need to help. Obviously helping those less fortunate is a never ending quest, but I am speaking specifically about the Holidays. There are a million ways to help around the holidays, but I have two specific ways you can help locally. The first is the annual Anonymous Santa program which is in need of your help. Toy donations are needed for all ages. Volunteers are also needed for distribution beginning December 9. For any information, or to make a donation, please call Lisi at 612-325-5414.
Thank you. The second program is much like the first only it deals with food. Family Pathways food shelf has had an angel step forward and pledge to match donation funds up to $30,000 this season. That means if you make a monetary donation of say $10, another $10 will be donated to the food shelf. Absolutely amazing. Thank you to the donor, you have no idea how many lives you will have touched. The Chisago Lakes Taylors Falls Small Town Christmas is now in its second week. I hope you had a chance to come out to one of the many tree lighting ceremonies. If not, there is plenty of time to still enjoy the activities and specials taking place. Virtually every place of business is offering you some sort of Christmas special to help you this Christmas season. For a list of all the participating businesses, please visit the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce website at www.chisagolakeschamber.com. Now until December 8, you are encouraged to enter a drawing for a gift basket valued at $700 filled with great items from local businesses. If you have not heard, there is a new basketball coach coaching the boys at Chisago Lakes. Chris Gargaro has replaced Herb Jangor as the new varsity coach.
I would like to take this time to personally thank Herb for all of his many years of dedication to the program. Many of you know Herb as this gruff, tough, very loud coach who loves to scream. Some of that is true, I could hear him here at the Press sometimes during games. But some of that is completely false. While many people have had issues with his coaching style in the past (I also am a coach and every year I have parents with issues about my coaching style), there is one thing that stands out about Herb. He (off the court) is one of the nicest people I have ever known. He is genuine, he loves his family and is just a great friend. Back to Chris. He has an excitement about the program that is beginning to build steam, and that is terrific. The boys won their first game in Princeton last week and seem to be improving daily. They have some wonderful players that should be very entertaining this season. On December 21, the basketball team will host their alumni night. If you were a player or cheerleader that has played for Chisago Lakes or Taylors Falls, you are asked to please sign in at the front desk. Names will be announced during halftime. Also that night, the basketball team will be honoring the 1983 State Tournament team reunion. The team will be announced at halftime as well. I remember that year like it was yesterday.
Driving to Duluth in sub-arctic weather to watch the Trojans (that’s right, we were the Trojans) beat St. Francis and earn a trip to the St. Paul Civic Center. Wow, 30 years? I am getting old. Anyway, be sure to mark your calendars and come out to see a great Wildcat team of today and one from yesteryear. If your child wishes to pass his or her Christmas list on to the man in the red suit, you are in luck. Santa will be making appearances locally in the next few weeks. On Saturday, he will be at Meredees Bistro for a breakfast with Santa. Later that day, you can catch him at the Shafer Creamery until 5 p.m. Speaking of many events, the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City is hosting their annual Sankta Lucia program on Saturday at 9 a.m. The program is a throwback to a vintage Swedish Christmas. The program is filled with Swedish music, treats and coffee. Another sign that I am getting old? Well there are many, but the latest came last week when I was at an eye appointment. The eye doctor asked to see my glasses that have been giving me problems ove the last few months. After looking close, it turns out I have been wearing cheaters and have no idea where my prescription glasses are.
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